Auontai “Tay” Anderson has made the kinds of strides at Denver’s Manual High School that typically prompt peers and elders to take notice, nod approvingly and anoint him a future leader. The 18-year-old is Manual’s student body president; he chairs the Colorado High School Democrats, and he’s command sergeant major of the Junior ROTC 5th Battalion. There goes our next mayor or governor – maybe even president – many will say.

All fine and well with Anderson, no doubt, but it turns out the teen has far more ambitious plans for the near term, as well. Like running for a seat on Denver’s school board. This November.

As Chalkbeat Colorado’s Nicholas Garcia reports:

Anderson, 18, filed paperwork Friday with the Secretary of State to run for a seat to represent northeast Denver that is currently held by Rachele Espiritu.

“My youth gives me the benefit of both a fresh perspective and the first-hand experiences of the strengths and weaknesses of our school system,” Anderson said in a statement. “Together, we need to create more opportunities for students to step into their greatness, improve our schools, and put our students first – especially our students of color, which is a top priority for me.”

Anderson also made a name for himself last summer, helping organizing and lead Denver’s Black Lives Matter march in July.

You’ll likely be hearing plenty more from Anderson in the future. Meanwhile, be sure to read Garcia’s full story for Chalkbeat; here’s the link again.